(ANSA) - Dhaka, November 30 - Pope Francis on Thursday
thanked Bangladesh for helping "the refugees who flooded in from
the (Myanmar) State of Rakhine", avoiding using the word
Rohingya again.
In his first speech on a trip here, in the presidential
palace, the pope hailed Bangladesh's "humanitarian generosity"
in welcoming some 620,000 refugees.
He said it had been done "with no little sacrifice" and was
"in the eyes of the whole world".
Francis said "it is necessary for the international community
to implement effective measures on this grave crisis" both for
political solutions and material assistance.
Myanmar objects to the word Rohingya because the Muslim group
is not one of the country's many official minorities, and the
pope avoided using the term during his three-day visit to
Myanmar earlier this week, on the advice of the local Catholic
Church.
In previous speeches, however, he has used the word.
The Rohingya refugees have told tales of brutality and rape
by Myanmar Buddhists and the military.
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, for his part, praised
Francis's "very praiseworthy position" in favour of persecuted
Rohingya" who have taken refuge there from Myanmar "and his
impassioned voice against such brutality".
Saying his government had given refuge to "a million Rohingya
driven out of Myanmar", he said the pope's support "gives hope
for a solution to this crisis".
Hamid said "his closeness to them, his request to help them
and ensure their full rights gives the international community
the responsibility to act with speed and sincerity".
Most estimates put the number of Rohingya who have fled to
Bangladesh at 620,000.
Pope thanks Bangladesh for Rakhine help (3)
Does not name them as Rohingya